Avoid steep slopes while the snowpack adjusts to the new snow.
Danger may be lower in the north of the region where there has been less snow and rain.
Continued loading from new snow and wind has formed storm slabs on all aspects. Moderate to strong southwest winds are loading lee slopes around ridge crests, as well as cross-loaded features making these places much more dangerous.
Rain on snow at low elevations has made wet loose avalanches possible.
Tuesday Night: Flurries 1-5 cm, moderate to strong southwest wind, freezing levels falling to 1700-1900 m by the morning.
Wednesday: 5-10 cm of snow possibly 10-15 cm in the south of the region. Strong wind in the morning decreasing to moderate west in the afternoon. Freezing levels around 2000 m falling to 800 m in the evening.
Thursday: Light snow 3-5 cm, light to moderate south wind, freezing levels around 1000 m.
Friday: Trace of snow, light north wind, skies clearing, freezing level valley bottom.
Tuesday: Neighbours immediately to the south reported a widespread, wet avalanche cycle to size 3. Several natural size 2 wet avalanches were seen on Wapiti Mountain near Elkford.
Monday: Several natural size 2 storm slab avalanches were spotted by the South Rockies field team just north of Sparwood. In the southeast of the region operators reported size 1-1.5 skier controlled storm slabs and loose wet avalanches.
Snowfall amounts have varied substantially since the start of the week with south of highway 3 receiving 30-50 cm and the north getting 10-20 cm. This fell as rain at lower elevations. Wind loading from moderate to strong southwest wind continues. New snow will need time to bond to a variety of old surfaces such as firm wind-pressed snow, sun crust on solar aspects, and potentially weak, sugary crystals on shaded aspects.
The middle and lower snowpack are generally well consolidated, with a crust/facet layer from early December found near the bottom of the snowpack. It is currently considered dormant but could become active later this season.
